THE proxy vote probe in Burnley is being looked into by the Home Office as part of the Government's plans for electoral reform.

Police are investigating the situation in which 28 per cent of the council election votes in the Daneshouse Ward were made by proxy.

MP Peter Pike said: "Proxy votes are really for people like merchant seamen and members of the armed forces. It was never envisaged that they would apply to 28 per cent of people in a ward.

"I don't want to get involved in the detail and local friction but I have had complaints before, during and after the election.

"I have been in contact with the police and council. They are serious allegations by individual electors.

"I am sure police will only be looking at a sample of the most blatant allegations to find out just what the truth is.

"The Home Office minister George Haworth is looking at what has happened here, in Pendle and in other parts of the country.

"The Government is committed to doing some reform of the election system within a couple of years."

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